First Draft Plots {manxman}

Merman Grove (#1)

*rewritten 03/29/2021* - complete change - unedited

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Candlelight burned as he muddled over the maps and documents, the rocking of the waves lulling him to sleep as he felt his eyelids ache to close. Soft moonlight shined through the windows of his cabin as the words of the documents blurred in his vision. Shaking his head, he grabbed a cup of tea on his desk to wake him up. Before he would sip his now cold tea a thud was heard from outside his cabin. Puzzled he set his cup down and grabbed his candle holder. The light catching the glare of the iron of his sword handle as he moved to the cabin door.

Grasping the door handle, he waited for another sound. There wasn't anything but the crashing of the ocean waves. However, his curious won out and he opened the door. Only the still air met him as he looked around the empty deck. Stepping out into the deck, he breathed the salty sea air. The deck was cast in a moonlight with the moon high in the sky, stars surround it as its companion.

"I suppose I must be hearing things."

Moving up the deck he stared into the endless sea. The waves crashed against the ship in gentle motions. The clear night sky allowed the moon to shine its full brightness as he set the candle down on the railing. Looking down the deck at the great masts and cannons that lined the ship, he was bewildered at what he was able to accomplish. Years ago, he was exiled for not wanting to be compliance and now was he was one of people that he would have hunted. He wondered if that was hypocritical or ironic, perhaps both.

"Captain, you're up as well." A voice said behind him.

Turning around, he saw his second in command standing, his shirt loosely tucked in some black trousers. A large scar ran across his eyebrow to his lips marring his face. It was a reminder of a furious battle they faced during the beginning of this journey. Unlike with most of the crew, he was there since the beginning, since his exile from his country. They were brothers in all but blood.

"Will, what you doing up so late? You usually either snoring away or drunk out of your mind at his point." he smiled with a familiar fondness. Will looked on with a slight tilt of his lips as he moved to join him near the railing. His blue eyes brighter with the night sky. Before Will neared him, he noticed a flash of light and quickly side stepped. The glint of the sword embedded in the railing previously behind him caught his eye. He quicky pull out his own sword the leather wrapped handle feeling increasingly heavy as he stared at his opponent.

"Will, what the hell do you think you're doing?" He yelled at his old friend.

The slash of metal echoed the silent sky as he blocked an attack, steadying his grip as he pushed against the sword. Cold dead eyes stared back at him as he struggled to hold against the strength of his friend. Pushing him back, he moved away from him and watched as black vines move under his neck. His blue eyes turning slightly red as he tightened his grip on his sword. The whipping of air met his ear as he dodged his next attack, a bit too close to his side for his comfort.

"Will, stop this! What has happened to you?" A deep growl was the only reply he got as he continued to try and dodge and block the barge of swipes and lunges presented to him. He knew that he had to take the offensive, but he couldn't bring himself to attack. His wrist twinging at the strength of the blows he was blocking, it seemed whatever was afflicting Will also was increasing his speed and force. Jumping away to dodge another attack he felt the hard wood of a railing digging into his back.

"Shit." He said under his breath. Trapped he could only brace for the impact of the next attack. He could almost taste the metal with how close the swords were to his face. The force of the hit rattling his teeth as he felt his hands tremble under the force of his opponent.